Hey guys, I had a day off today so I decided to start getting my gear ready for this weekend's fishing trip, and as I was looking at the stuff I was preparing I thought to my self "wow this is a lot of crap!".

So this thread is more of a check list of the stuff we carry around, and to share ideas about what is really necessary.

Here is the list of things I carry around:

Hobie RevoSeatPFDPaddleMirage DriveCoolerice, water, snacks.hatFish FinderBatteryFishing tackleFishing rods with reelsDry bagsbuff and glovesleashespliers, grips and scissorsScotty rod holders (2 of them)Camera mount.CameraChange of clothswater pump with hose for washing the kayak and gear (no fresh water where I launch and land)5 gallons of water.

I'll be updating as I remember more things I carry around. But as you can tell that is a lot of stuff to carry around. Don't have a radio yet , nor a gps.

water shoestowelwaterproof case for cell phoneheadphones if your cell phone case has headphone jack of course.dry bag for wallet and keysMilk Crate or Yak Pak to carry all the tackle Stake Out PoleKnife/Line Cutter

and YES it is a lot of stuff .. I say it every time I pack my vehicle.

Revo

_________________I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

I had to buy a 36" duffle bag to make thing simpler, I try to store as much stuff as I can there so I can pack quickly for a trip, and when I get of the water I just throw all the smaller thing in it even if wet.

The cooler jumped out at me on your list, but with fishing maybe its a must for livebait?

I do a lot of overnight / extended trips, and used to do a lot of mountain climbing and I learned to keep gear by type in easy to grab containers to simplify the packing / unpacking process (which in many ways is the biggest pain). I break my gear out by activity: clothing & accessories for active travel / emergency preparedness / kitchen & food / nav and communications (GPS, Transponder and Cameras).

I make decisions about what is in or not-in based on the scope of the objectives. Sometimes, a trip is more casual in nature and warrants a bit more food and simple luxury.

Other times, I purposefully calculate my exact gear list to give me more speed and efficiency if I am up to something really ambitious. So I opt to go with a bivy bag instead of a sleeping bag and tent (and sleep in my boat... surprisingly comfortable!) and may even opt to not bring a stove, and consume all dry good foods instead.

I have noticed when I leave bigger items out, I never miss them if I have brought other small luxury items along to boost morale (instant coffee, a flask of McCallan 18 and maybe a cigar or some dark chocolate!). The one exception is a sleeping pad. I have learned the hard way that sleeping without a pad is, well... the hard way.

_________________"Never mistake a clear view for a short journey." - Cowboy Proverb

I tell myself this EVERY time out... plus I always forget something! I have a couple laundry baskets for all the lose stuff ... I packed "everything" up tie the kayak on the roof of the car ( a non hobie kayak) get to the launch ... unpackeverything ... and realize i forgot the PADDLE !!! say a lot of 4 letter words..... re-pack everything in the car.. go home.... and stay home.... (I only had a few hours to get in anyway and the time was lost now).... sometimes I miss the simple times when I had only 1 rod a small box of flys....

With this duffel I can fit all of my gear and be ready to go an any time, I can even fit the seat, the PFD, and even the drive inside. And it has some clip on bets that I use to hold my paddle in place.(split in half)

:lol: I tell myself this EVERY time out... plus I always forget something! I have a couple laundry baskets for all the lose stuff ... I packed "everything" up tie the kayak on the roof of the car ( a non hobie kayak) get to the launch ... unpackeverything ... and realize i forgot the PADDLE !!! say a lot of 4 letter words..... re-pack everything in the car.. go home.... and stay home.... (I only had a few hours to get in anyway and the time was lost now).... sometimes I miss the simple times when I had only 1 rod a small box of flys....

Wheels, drive, seat, shoes, paddle and room for more. Damp clothes and towel might be good to pad the drive. Vaughn 7800 is the bag. I got it at TotalHockey.com. Heavy duty nylon with some breathing holes.